CURRENT LOCATION: NEW YORK


Frederick is working on film, music and audiovisual art projects. He recently co-directed “The Utopians,” a mini series released by the Barbican Centre in 2022.

The Antarctic Biennale

The Antarctic Biennale

CNN / VICE / MONOCLE 24: A pioneering expedition to the seventh continent sought to break down boundaries between art and science.
Found in Ecuador: A Time Capsule for the Ears

Found in Ecuador: A Time Capsule for the Ears

THE NEW YORK TIMES: After his grandfather’s death, a music producer finds a trove of almost perfectly preserved audiotapes representing a vital chapter of Ecuador’s musical history.
Oil and Lava

Oil and Lava

VICE / MOTHERBOARD: The destiny of Ecuador, a small country with outsize ambitions, now depends overwhelmingly on a commodity price it cannot control – while a huge volcano awakens to threaten further chaos.
The Slum Priests of Buenos Aires

The Slum Priests of Buenos Aires

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Before he became Pope Francis, Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio sent many priests to work and live in the slums – or “villas” – of Buenos Aires.
Singing to Be Heard, Behind Bars in Mexico

Singing to Be Heard, Behind Bars in Mexico

THE NEW YORK TIMES: “La Voz Penitenciaría” is a national competition that aims to help reintegrate prisoners into society.
At 450 Years Old, Rio Is Divided Into Two Worlds

At 450 Years Old, Rio Is Divided Into Two Worlds

VICE: As preparations continue for the Olympics in August 2016, Brazil's aspirant global city is in the spotlight once again.
Pimping out Brazil’s invisible recycling force

Pimping out Brazil’s invisible recycling force

BBC: São Paolo artist Thiago Mundano strives to give a voice to a quiet army of 20,000 “catadores” who recycle trash from the streets to keep their city clean.
Flight for Survival

Flight for Survival

BBC / ROADS & KINGDOMS: In the Mexican town of Papantla, the gravity-defying “Voladores” ritual is helping the Totonac people preserve their heritage against the odds.
Latest entries

Bratislava: UFO Bridge

UFO Bridge – Bratislava, SlovakiaJanuary 2006 This photo was published in some kind of book about the European Union – will try to find the info…

World Youth Congress: Global Perspectives

About 600 young people from around the globe gathered in Scotland earlier this month to attend the World Youth Congress. Frederick Bernas finds out why the event was held and what it achieved. “Each and every one of you has the capacity to make a difference for the better and all I can do is...

Project notes: Peer Support Project, Manchester

What it is: Peer Support Project, Manchester Goals: To provide advocacy and peer support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people who are not in education, employment or training Funding: Provided by Manchester City Council, Connexions, the community budget and other funding streams Manchester’s Peer Support Project offers excluded lesbian, gay and bisexual...

World Youth Congress Big Brother

A short video I produced with a friend at the World Youth Congress, August 2005.

Flat out in Neilston

One of the most productive action projects looks to be the community flat in Neilston, Glasgow. Number eight, Madras Place is located in a housing estate. The property has been given by East Renfrewshire council to local residents to transform into a community base, specifically for young people. World Youth Congress delegates are involved in...

Decorating in Dundee

World Youth Congress delegates worked in Dundee on a project to transform a run-down communal area and football pitch on a housing estate. They were assisted by youth workers, professional artists and local young people in creating a vibrant, innovative and inviting spray-painted mural on surrounding walls. Styles varied from jungle landscapes to architectural constructions,...

Project notes: Magic Matrix, north Norfolk

What it is: Magic Matrix, north Norfolk Goals: To bring together looked-after young people from rural or isolated communities Funding: Finance is provided by Norfolk Children’s Services. The young people are considering applying for a YouthBank grant As Norfolk moves towards the development of integrated children’s services, the youth sector will have to work more...

Delegates arrive as World Youth Congress gets into full swing

Stirling University – a quiet, scenic and picturesque setting, albeit a little dark and gloomy weather-wise. But not for long; today, Friday July 29, it bustled with activity, becoming overwhelmed by a mass influx of young people from across the globe assembling for the third World Youth Congress. Designed to give young people their chance...

Nip voter apathy in the bud by involving teenagers

The national dilemma of political apathy amongst this country’s youth is an issue widely covered in many branches of the media, especially at election time. Politicians are the first to complain about it, but seem the last to take action to improve the situation. I believe that simply including young people more in the political...